Discernment means having the ability to perceive the qualities of something or having the ability to judge something well. The older I get, the more I find I have pretty good discernment about some of the issues of life. I think the Bible chalks it up to wisdom. I do believe that experience is a very profound teacher if one chooses to learn the lessons of life.
I have been thinking a lot about discernment for the past two months…unaware that it would soon be a topic on this blog. What has caused this line of thinking? It may be that I am perplexed at things I see occurring in today’s world. Then, I start thinking of past experiences and lessons learned, and wisdom passed on to me. It then becomes second nature to me to want to pass along this information to the younger generation of parents and children. Therefore, I want to pass along this vital information issued by the Police Department of Houston, Texas, reprinted in NSSA Link, Nov. 1963.
“Twelve Rules for Raising Delinquent Children”
1. Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he’s cute. It will also encourage him to pick up “cuter” phrases that will blow off the top of your head later.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is 21 and then let him “decide for himself.”
4. Avoid use of the word “wrong.” It may develop a guilt complex. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves around – books, shoes and clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
9. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take his part against neighbors, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, “I never could do anything with him.”
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
As I have mentioned many times in these blogs, I can see patterns in the lives and choices of students. To me, the greatest frustration of a teacher is to watch students discard the warning signals we try to teach them, and to choose the paths of misfortune that many of our previous students also took. Thus, I do all I can to teach students and parents to have a discerning spirit when it comes to the grand issues of life. I hope I am successful with most! Kay